The 24-year-old took pole with a lap time of one minute 32.422secs, 0.098 seconds quicker than Hamilton.

Jenson Button will start tomorrow’s race in fourth in the other McLaren, with Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg fifth and Toro Rosso’s Daniel Ricciard sixth.

Reigning champion Vettel has had a disappointing start to the 2012 season but said his Red Bull had felt better all weekend.

‘It’s very good to put the car on pole. The car felt much better all weekend. I was quite happy. It wasn’t a smooth qualifying for us, nearly out in Q1, nearly out in Q2. It’s great that we could beat Lewis,’ he said.

‘We should be better off in the race. Our race pace has proven to be consistent in the last couple of races.

‘I’m happier with the way the car feels. We should be able to get the same kind of feeling and result on Sunday.

‘I’m looking forward to the start and then I think it will be very tight. I think Nico [Rosberg] has been very strong all weekend and the Lotus guys can surprise.

‘In terms of race pace, I think everyone will be much closer together.’